A Couple Questions Regarding DVC

[Madi100]

I just recently sent away for some info on DVC. I received the video and now am going to be receiving some written information. We've been going to Disney every year and a half or so, and I'd like to make it a tradition. DVC seems like a good deal, however, the cost issues are there for me, and I was wondering if some of you could help me out.

First of all, why are you so sold on DVC? I'm sure the rooms are nice. However, can't you find a nice room anywhere at WDW? Secondly, as far as location goes, are they in an ideal location? How far are they from MK?

My major concern, of course, is this something that is going to be cost effective. If you look at my signature now, we stay in only value resorts. Hopefully, this will be the last time staying in value, and we can afford a little more. However, I'm not thinking I'm the Grand Floridian type. Is it a waste of my money to invest in something like this if I'm content with a moderate type setting? I know that there are kitchenettes in these rooms. I don't like the thought of eating in my room, though. We have a hard enough time fitting in all of our choices for meals as it is.

We are seriously considering this, but I'd like to know what sold some of you guys on DVC. So, share with me, convince me, and give me convincing words for my husband.

 

[Margie J]

I bought into the DVC after losing over a $1000 to a travel agent that went bankrupt. I never wanted to risk my hard earned money again.

I had been getting info on the new DVC for years before (in stock holders annual reports). So, back in 1994, I finally visited the Disney Vacation Club Resort (now OKW) being part of my stock investment. The Resort was lovely and the units were spacious. I took some info home and bought points 3 weeks later.

Not only did I see it as a good vacation investment but the plan was flexible. I wasn't locked into one week, one Resort or WDW only. It was a big cost upfront but I felt comfortable and secure with a company like Disney. I had never considered any timeshare before.

I've stayed (and still do) in hotels around the US and beyond. Simple is ok but once you get used to a DVC unit, it's hard to turn back. Especially with a family or other friends travelling along the extra space alone is wonderful. Many people don't use the kitchens at all (they call the stove a "decoration") but the space and your own laundry in a larger unit are very handy. Then there's the whirlpool .........

Now that I am a DVC Member I have vacationed more often. I often laugh that I HAVE to plan a vacation or else I'd lose points. Overall, it's been a great choice for me since 1994.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I am copying my standard reply to the cost question for you:
Let's say you pay $79/pt for DVC. You can use that point 50 times, so you can spread the $79 over 50 years. This means that point will cost you $1.58 every year you use it. Of course, we must add mtc fees of about $4.00/pt (actually a little less) which brings the total cost to about $5.58 per point, per year (personally, I round my cost off to $6/pt). A week during Dream season at SSR is 112 points for a studio. We now multiply 112 by $5.58 to see how much that studio actually costs us. Total- $624.96 for the week....TAX INCLUDED. Can you get that price at a regular hotel room on Disney property???

Yes, mtc fees will rise but so what. The price you are comparing it to will also rise. Actually, DVC cost will rise at a slower rate because point cost will never increase, only mtc fees will increase.

Lost interest income- Some factor this in, but I do not for several reasons. I would have bought some other luxury item, so I would not be earning interest anyway. I could go on and on why you should not add lost interest income to the equation. If you'd like more explanation, please ask.
If you opt to factor it in, please don't over do it, as it is likely not as much as you think. Many folks forget to subtract the amount they would otherwise pay for accommodations at WDW.

Quality of accommodations:
In my opinion, they are the best. If you venture into a 1br or larger you will have a whirpool tub nestled between the master bedroom and the master bathroom. You will also have a full kitchen (not all of us use it, but it is nice to have for the fridge, micro, coffee ect...). You will have a separate living room with separete TV (may come in handy for kids).

Just a great feeling:
When you hear your first "WELCOME HOME" when you check-in, is a great feeling. You will own a piece of the magic...

Edit to add the most important part:
Many guarantied years of quality vacations with your family and friends...

Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision......

PS- Just think.... You would also get to hang out with us here on the DVC board!

 

[Granny]

Maistre Gracey provided an excellent response to your questions, and does a great job at explaining some of the economics of the decision.

I will tell you right now that we did not purchase DVC to save money on WDW accommodations. Rather, we are getting deluxe accommodations in a prepaid manner. We do save some money on eating since it's so easy to eat at the villa, especially breakfast.

But mostly we like the feeling of being able to spread out with lots of space, first class amenities and of course the Disney on-site theming.

Like many others here, we liked it so much we doubled our points after a year so we could go more often. That's the part I mean about not necessarily saving me money over a regular resort room.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You have had great responses, but I wanted to point out that DVC is not just a room, but a villa! If I compared my stay 10 years ago at CBR to a stay in a 1 bedroom villa at OKW, I would definately come up short at CBR! There is really no comparison to a "room" and a villa. I looked at it as buying a vacation home. It made tons of sense then and still does now.

 

[burnsoc]

Hi,
In response to your question about locations, I think you will find that DVC resorts are a lot more convenient than the All Stars. At BCV and BWV you are within walking distance of Epcot and MGM. The restaurant choices in that area are numerous, and from your post I see you like to go to as many as possible. At the WLV you are a boat ride away from the MK, FW, and the Contemporary. WLV also has two restaurants that I really enjoy Whispering Canyon and Artist Point. OKW is within walking distance or a boat ride from Downtown Disney. The new Saratoga Springs will be within rock throwing distance of Downtown Disney.
You mentioned that you can get a nice room anywhere on WDW property. If you like the rooms at AS, then DVC accomodations will make you faint. The DVC are deluxe resorts for the price of the value resorts. With DVC it makes it very easy to have that WDW vacation tradition. I don't think about if I can go back, I only think of when I will go. Take your time and read everything you can about DVC, it's a major purchase and you should feel completely comfortable about making the decision. My DW feels buyers remorse about almost every major purchase has never once regretted buying into DVC. Hope this helps!
-Chris

 

[Terry S]

First off, I like Granny, didn't buy DVC to save money. I am a very selfish person and like the 2 Bedroom Villas. My kids have thier own room, I have my own room and we have a living room to enjoy. Someone here had a great spreadsheet though and for the heck of it, I gave him my numbers, which would have been a discounted price a a deluxe resort compared to what I paid for my DVC points. It worked out to something like 32 years break even. Now remember, I am staying in a 2 bedroom Villa, versus one regular room at the BC. Seeing that I was breaking even at all made me feel good, since I really didn't buy DVC to save money.

Anyways, If you compare the cost of a moderate or even a value to a studio DVC room which is basically a bit bigger than a moderate room and includes a small fridge, microwave, toaster and coffee pot, you will definatly be saving money and you will be staying in a deluxe resort with all the amenities of a deluxe resort.

 

[cewait]

I am just now purchasing a DVC membership at OKW. I think that Maistre Gracey's logic is a great explanation of determining the costs of the romm. In my case, I was staying at the moderate resorts and could never make a case from the cost effectiveness standpoint. I have been thinkin about purchasing DVC since 98. As my DD started to get into her mid teens, we started taking friends. We also included two foreign exchange students in our family in the last couple years. Looking back on it, a DVC 1 bedroom would have been great. However, the deep discounts that have occurred in the last couple years have skewed the value. It's impossible to believe that you could get two AKL rooms for 220 a night (110 each).

Now, if the post 2000 and post 911 discounts would not have happened, I might have become a member earlier. With work I stay in hotels that equal the higher level resort at WDW. I decided that the quality difference was not worth the savings. If you are planning to stay at a luxury resort on WDW property, then a DVC membership becomes a great savings. Plus, we just got tired of having to cross Parrot Cay every morning just to get a cup of coffee!

I've rambled, but the bottom line is that if you go to WDW regularly, stay on property and want to advance from the moderate or economy resorts, you can do no wrong with DVC. THe resorts are OKW between Epcot and Downtown Disney, The BWV and BCV within walking distance to the World Showcase and Epcot, the WLV near MK and the ticket and transportation center and SSR, the almost opened resort across the lake from Downtown Disney.

 

[Madi100]

Thanks for all of the replies. They've been really helpful to me. Is there anywhere online to see pictures of the different types of resorts through DVC? I have to decide if ti's something we might consider this year or next time around, but I'd rather have info. going into the whole thing. Oh, one more thing, are the sales people really pushy?

 

[Lisa F]

You can click HERE for pictures of the DVC resorts. Just scroll down to the "home away from home" section. The resorts are Beac Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs Resort, and Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. There are lots of great pics there of the various unit types.

No, the guides are not high pressure at all. I think OCCASIONALLY someone gets a guide who is but overall they are very laid back and will not pressure you at all. DVC is pretty much a product that sells itself.

Lisa

 

[johde]

If you are worried about spending a large amount of money you might want to consider a small resale contract. The timeshare store has 2 50 point contract that are about $3,500 and Reid at www.reid4florida.com has a couple of small resales also. On top of that you would need to probably pay closing cost of $350. Then, if you find you like it you could add on directly through Disney later. I used Jaki at www.atimeshre.com to purchase my 60 points and I am happy with that amount.

 

[Madi100]

If I understand correctly, we would need around 112 points or so. We usually travel in off season around January, Feb. or Sept. What would the point be of only having 60 points? I edited this to say that I'm not asking this sarcastically. I'm seriously asking how one would use only 60 points?

 

[johde]

I get that question alot on this board. First of all my home is OKW and I enjoy staying there (althouigh I am wait listed for a standard view at the BWV for early December). Second, for right now I am happy with a studio (although I do love the 1 and 2 bedrooms). Another thing that can help is minimizing the number of weekends days you book.
To give you an idea of what you can do, right now I have a trip from December 7-12 in an OKW studio (40 points) and I am thinking about taking a 2 or 3 day trip in September (24 points I will need to borrow 3 points and use 1 banked point), I am waiting to hear something from work before I book the trip.

Even using your figure of 112 points with banking and borrowing you could stay on points every other year with 60 points and would need to 75 points to travel every 18 months like you are use to doing.

Small contracts are managable they just take a bit more planning and tradeoffs. If I find that I am constantly borrowing point I will do what everyone else on this board does, look for an add-on.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Madi100
If I understand correctly, we would need around 112 points or so. We usually travel in off season around January, Feb. or Sept. What would the point be of only having 60 points? I edited this to say that I'm not asking this sarcastically. I'm seriously asking how one would use only 60 points?

Hi, Madi100. I should start by saying the 112 points needed is for one week in a studio at Saratoga Springs Resort during Dream season.
Dream season is the 'middle point' season, meaning your actual stay could be more or less points, depending on the exact date of your visit.
It should also be noted that many here (not me) stay only during the five weekdays, as the weekend points are about double. The 112 is for a week, but the breakdown is 12 for weekdays, and 26 for weekends. As you can see, you can stay five nights for 60 points.
The problem is that if you buy from Disney, the minimum buy-in is 150 points. It is possible to purchase less if you go through a resale broker (many here do with great success).
In addition to the above 60 point scenario, DVC allows the member to 'bank and borrow' points. In a nutshell this means that if you owned 60 points, you could bank and borrow your way to 180 points every third year.
Why would want to do this you ask? Once you have seen a 1 or 2 bedroom villa, you may decide to visit every second or third year and get a larger unit.
It should be noted that other DVC resorts have different point schedules, so I would not buy the exact amount of points needed.

It truly is a very flexible system...